Traders and craftspeople came to Abingdon Market Place for the autumn Local Excellence Market today.

After a two-year absence, the Abingdon Extravaganza will be back on the 26th of November and will have a football theme. In the year when the England Lionesses won Euro 2022, after beating Germany 2-1 in extra-time at Wembley, the extravaganza will be opened by some of the Oxford United Women’s team. The extravaganza format will be the same as in previous years, with a parade, stalls, and entertainment.

The Royal British Legion has launched its annual poppy appeal, and there were traditional poppies and smaller lapel badges, including a Falklands 40 badge. 255 British personnel lost their lives recapturing the Falklands in 1982.

This morning on the Market Place, as part of the Oxfordshire Great Green Week, the people of Abingdon made Robin Nesting Boxes to be taken home and put up in suitable locations.

There were other green stalls under the County Hall and on the Market Place including one for Abingdon Liveable Streets, a project that aims to improve our walking and cycling routes so that people can travel to school or work safely without needing to use their cars.

Also on the Market Place was a Guide Dogs stall. The Market Place is not only available for Markets but also for community groups. The application process is on the town council website at https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/community-services/help-your-event/booking-market-place. The main issue for some groups is getting their own Public Liability Insurance for £10 million.

Martin has the Abingdon 2023 calendar on sale on his Monday Market Stall, beginning with a picture of a snowy January.

August has started dry with blue skies and warm sunshine. There was no butcher, but the fish van was there.

By the end of the day, all the Sunflowers, from the flower and plant stall, were sold.

A crochet pattern showing a sandy beach is on the Market Place post office box.

The High Street is bright and light; many wear summer shorts and dresses.

At Trinity Church, the scouts returned after camping in North Yorkshire, where they had rain. Tents were laid out to dry.

This morning, the local excellence market in Abingdon was decorated with flags celebrating the Lionesses, who will play in the Euro 2022 final against Germany on Sunday 31st July 2022.

That is tomorrow as I write.

On the Hampshire Gluten Free Co stall, there were Go Lionesses Doughnuts!! Thank you to Paul for this picture. He and his fellow market organiser have been at every England game and will be at the final tomorrow at Wembley.

The kick-off will be on BBC One at 5 pm (British Summer Time). We will be Beyond Bubbles if England win.

Other newsworthy stalls at the market were Abingdon Distillery, which opens its distillery and shop in Coxeters on Thursday.

There was a new stall selling replica Morland Plaques. The plaques can be purchased ready to paint or painted in traditional colours or other ways.